Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons or OPCW

What is the News?

India’s Comptroller and Auditor General(CAG) GC Murmu selected as an external auditor to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW). His term will be for 3 years, starting in 2021.

India was also selected as a member of the Executive Council of the OPCW. It is representing Asia Group for another two-year term during the OPCW Conference of State Parties.

About Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW):

• OPCW is an intergovernmental organisation and the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention. This convention is in force since 1997 and 193 members.
• Aim: To achieve the vision of a world free of chemical weapons by implementing the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• Objectives:
  • Destroying all existing chemical weapons under international verification.
  • Monitoring chemical industry to prevent chemical weapons from re-emerging.
  • Providing assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats.
  • Fostering international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.
• Powers:
  • The OPCW is authorized to perform inspections to verify that signatory states are complying with the convention.
  • It can also perform testing of sites and victims of suspected chemical weapons attacks.
• Members: It has 193 members including India.
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands.
• Significance: The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
• Relations with UN: OPCW is not a United Nations(UN) organization. However, by the 2001 Relationship Agreement between the OPCW and the UN, the OPCW reports on its inspections and other activities to the UN through the office of the Secretary-General.

Source: AIR